Former Mighty Morphin Power Rangers star Austin St John was arrested for Government pandemic loan fraud in the US, but he claims ‘no knowledge’ of the indictment charges.
The 90s actor has been charged, along with 17 others, in a scheme to defraud the US government of CARES Act funds after he was arrested on Thursday, May 20, when the FBI raided his home in McKinney, Texas. That’s right, from ‘Morphin time’ the former Ranger might just be doing time.
Who is Austin St John?
For those not familiar with the OG Power Rangers the 47-year-old played the first red ranger, Jason Scott, from 1993 until 1995 in the hit children’s series. St John, along with being an actor, is also a qualified paramedic – and served with the US Department of Defense for four years – and mixed martial artist.
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Although he hung up his Megazord and red helmet, St John has continued to be involved with the franchise – In 2019, he voiced his character again for a Power Rangers video game, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid. He also appeared as the character in the TV series Power Rangers Beast Morphers in 2020.
Arrested for fraud
According to a federal indictment shared by the Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s office alleges 18 people, including the actor, attempted to defraud the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program while the program was used to provide relief to struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns that began in 2020.
In the statement, it said: ‘In total, the defendants are alleged to have fraudulently obtained at least 16 loans and at least $3.5 million.’ It also states if the defendants are convicted of these crimes they may face up to 20 years in federal prison.
St John Claims ‘No Knowledge’
In an Instagram post it claims St John had ‘no knowledge’ of the crimes listed in the indictment and said he ‘put his faith, reputation, and finances in the hands of third parties’ who ‘betrayed his trust’.
